MIRPUR (Kashmir English): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) High Court has ordered all private schools and colleges operating in residential buildings across the state to vacate such premises within 90 days.
Justice Khalid Rashid Chaudhry of the High Court’s Circuit Bench in Mirpur issued the directives in the case titled Sahibzada Qurban Ali versus Mirpur Development Authority (MDA) and others.
The court directed the Education Department, Higher Education officials, Mirpur Development Authority (MDA), and other relevant administrative authorities to ensure that all private and commercial educational institutions operating from residential buildings are relocated within the stipulated period.
The court also ordered all government institutions and relevant authorities to immediately vacate private schools and colleges established in private residential buildings as per the rules and regulations.
Advocate Aurangzeb Chaudhry, Senior Lawyer of the Supreme Court of Azad Kashmir, appeared on behalf of the petitioner Sahibzada Qurban Ali, while Advocate Chaudhry Altaf appeared on behalf of the private respondents.
The petitioner argued that a private school had been established on residential Plot No. 281-B in Binderal Town, Sector F-3, Part IV, Mirpur, adjacent to his residence at Plot No. 281-A, causing concerns over the use of residential property for commercial educational activities.
Copies of the High Court’s decision have been sent to the relevant government departments and authorities for necessary action.
